Dust off the tweed and steady your binoculars—Super Saturday is upon us. With a blockbuster card at Newbury and a tactical masterclass brewing at Warwick, the jumps season is officially in its “no-nonsense” phase. Whether you’re here for the Grade 2 prestige or the seasoned warriors in the veterans’ ranks, tomorrow’s slate is dripping with quality.
🏆 The Big Ones: Newbury & Warwick
The spotlight shines brightest on the Denman Chase and the Game Spirit, but don’t sleep on the tactical chess match at Warwick.
The Denman Chase (Grade 2) – Newbury, 2:10pm
The headline act features the staying power of Haiti Couleurs. After a detour from an Irish assignment, he arrives fit and firing. He’s the one to beat, but veteran L’Homme Presse remains a massive threat if the ground stays testing.
- Insider Opinion: “Haiti Couleurs is ready to roll. He’s got the gears and the grit for Newbury’s long straight.”
The Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) – Warwick, 1:50pm
A select but spicy field of three. Jockey Ben Jones is bullish on Mambonumberfive, who is seeking a fourth consecutive win. He faces Steel Ally and the Skelton-trained Mirabad.
- The Vibe: High-stakes tactical battle. Mambo is the form choice, but in a three-runner race, anything can happen.
The Henderson Masterstroke?
If you thought the Denman Chase was the only reason to tune in to Newbury tomorrow, think again. The word from Seven Barrows is that Lulamba is ready to steal the show in the Game Spirit Chase (2:45pm).
Nicky Henderson is pulling a classic move here—one he’s used with legends like Sprinter Sacre and Altior—by throwing his “crack novice” into the deep end against more experienced chasers.
The Lowdown on Lulamba
- The Stats: Currently the 8/11 favorite. He’s unbeaten in three starts over fences, including a dominant 9.5-length victory in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown.
- The Jockey: Nico de Boinville has opted for Newbury over Warwick (where Lulamba also had an entry) specifically to stay on this rising star.
- Timeform View: They’ve given him a weight-adjusted rating of 162p, making him the one they all have to beat. That “p” suggests there’s still plenty of untapped potential.
- Insider Opinion: “Lulamba has easily the most potential in the field. Taking on smart handicappers like Libberty Hunter (6/1) and Saint Segal (5/1) is a test, but he’s potentially top-notch.”
The Rivalry
While Lulamba is the star attraction, don’t ignore Saint Segal. He’s been in the form of his life this term and, according to some, is the most likely to cause an upset if the favorite finds the step up from novice company too jarring.
📊 Timeform Best Rated & Performance Picks
Timeform’s “p” (for potential) is out in force tomorrow. Here are the horses the speed-figures love:
🏇 The Naps & Insider Tips
If you’re looking for the “sure thing” (or as close as we get in this game), here is the consensus from the weighing room and the tipsters’ lounge:
The NAP: Analiese (Warwick, 1:15pm)
Mel Rowley’s mare is in “rude health.” She’s chasing a hat-trick in this Listed contest and the word is she hasn’t finished improving yet. A confident choice for many.
The Value Each-Way: Guard Your Dream (Warwick, 2:25pm)
A course-and-distance winner who loves this track. The drop in trip after a hard slog at Uttoxeter looks like a masterstroke. He’s an “each-way cert” in a compact field.
The Dark Horse: Meetmebythesea (Newbury, 2:45pm)
Stepping into the deep end in the Game Spirit, but he’s done nothing wrong at Wetherby and Ayr. If the favorites fluff their lines, this six-year-old is the one lurking.
🧐 Shenanigans to Watch
- The Skelton Siege: Dan Skelton has 18 runners across Warwick, Newbury, and Uttoxeter tomorrow. If the “Skelton Saturday” trend holds, expect at least a couple of winners to come from the Lodge Hill stable.
- The Ground: Keep an eye on the going at Newbury. U Cant Be Serious (3:55pm) is one who Joe Tizzard says needs it soft. If the rain stays away, his chances dip.
The Shenanigans Factor: Dan Skelton’s Calico (14/1) is also in the Game Spirit. Skelton has 18 runners across the country tomorrow—he’s bound to disrupt the party somewhere!
Silks and Shenanigans 